Feds: Skybus driver may have cheated on driving exam

BOWLING GREEN, Va. (WTVR) – The man behind the wheel of a deadly tour bus crash in Caroline County may have cheated on his driving test, according federal court documents recently filed in New York, now obtained by CBS 6 News.

On March 1, New York authorities busted N&Y Professional Service line driving school in Brooklyn, and collected evidence against the owners Ying Wai Phillip Ng and his wife, Pui Kuen Ng.

Police accused the Ng’s of helping more than 700 people cheat on their commercial driving test.

Among their clients, Kin Yeu Chung.

“There appears to be strong circumstantial evidence that he obtained his commercial drivers license by fraud,” said Caroline County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tony Spencer.

Spencer is building a case against Cheung, charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in a bush crash last May that killed four women. Cheung allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel.

According to federal court documents, Cheung took the driving test in Brooklyn on May 11, 2010 – almost a year to the day of the bus crash. Court documents also indicate that Cheung may have cheated on the test.

“If he`s willing to drive this bus when he`s not only too tired to drive, but that he knows he obtained his license by fraud I think that would show that he was showing a reckless and callous disregard for human life,” said Spencer.

The dispatcher also faces manslaughter charges. He’s accused of telling Cheung to drive, even though Cheung told him he was too tired.

Spencer said if he can prove that Zhao Jian Chen knew Cheung took the test fraudulently, it can be used against him in court.

“Showing a callous and reckless indifference to human life,” said Spencer.

What’s more, Spencer said if he can prove that Cheung cheated on his commercial driving exam, then he is going to research if there is a possibility of bringing involuntary manslaughter charges against the couple who ran the driving school.

In the wake of this investigation, CBS 6 News asked New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg his thoughts.

“It`s very worrisome but you know, we don`t want to be intruding in people`s freedom, but government regulation in keeping people safe is something we`re supposed to do,” said Bloomberg. “That`s why we have government.”

Stay with CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for the latest developments in this story.